Wichita eagle., 1887-11-08
SUNNY DALE.
To the Editor OF the Eagle.

! To the Editor OF the Eagle.
Last evening witnessed one of the hap
piest gatherings Of people ever assembled
in this vicinity. The occasion was a sur
prise party rendered to the Rev. w. J..
Sandefur and his estimable wife at their
residence near Sunny Dale The sur
prise was complete. the guests to the
number of at least fifty arriving at the
door and taking the house by storm
greatly to the amaZement of the occu-
pants. The castle being taken, every
body turned themselves loose and merri-
ment was at full tide when Rev. L. w.
Bicknell entered with a handsome
upholstered easy chair which he
proceeded to bestow upon Elder Sandefur
in behalf Of the company. He referred
i'll glowing terms to the recipients long
years Of earnest and patient labor as pas
tor here; Of the warm personal relations
heretofore existing between himself and
his flock: of the continuance Of those re-
lations; Of the lack of support ON the
part of the church: of the sense OF obi
CATION felt by the church; that this is not
! designed to cancel the obligation. but
simply to acknowledge it; that we ask
him to accept the chair as a token of our
! high personal estimation of his character
as a Christian, a citizen and a friend
that we wish him length of days, happi-
ness. prosperity. and solid comfort in the
use of his "Old Arm Chair
To this Elder Sandefur, deeply moved
with generous emotion. replied with
much pathos in words fifty expressing
his appreciation of the kindly sentiments
of the donors; that he hoped to meet
them again many times, both at their
tireSideS and his; that he accepted the
gift. not for its beauty Or costliness. both
OF which were considerable. but for its
higher value as a token; that he would
dedicate the chair TO the use of his lady:
(crles Of no its for YOU that the memory
of this incident would abide with him
ever fresh and green. These lofty cere-
monies being over, congratulations and
mlrth again went round and everything
was merry as marriage bell, when your
correspondent stepped TO the front with a
dainty little blue silk plush parlor rocker,
and proceeded to rudely interrupt the
enjoyment OF the occasion by Offering a
libel upon the English language in
the shape of a speech, presenting tie
rocker in the name of the friends present.
He spoke of the gravitatiOn of all hearts
towards those who where pure and good
and beautiful: that the pure and good
are always beautiful. the love and rever-
ence due to holiness. Referred to the
sublime simplicity and piety Of her life
and Its eevatlng influence upon her assO-
ciates; OF the pleasure feet in paying her
this tribute: that every virtuous life is
surrounded by a halo which dims all
tribute; that we beg her acceptance of
the chair as mementO; that while in
significant in itself, vet in comes to her
freighted with what imperial wealth and
power could not purchase-the homage
of true hearts.
Overcome with emotion. the lady rose
and with downCaSt look and trembling
voice attempted to thank the donerS:
she valued the gift highly. but our kind
~ sentiments far more; felt her unwOrthi-
ness of our praise; had fell far short of
the ideal of Christian life. but felt fresh
incentive 10 strive after it; asked all to
bear with her short comings and resolved
To set better example in the future.
"BleSt be the tie that binds
Our hearts in sacred love:
The fellowship Of kindred minds.
Is like 10 tina, above
kneeling upon the carpet. Rev. Bick-
nell addressed the Majesty of Heaven
with burning words of praise and thanks
giving as the source of all bounty. and
grace and lOve-for God is
Love-and feverently besought
Divine aid TO the church in
her efforts 10 enlarge the spiritual
kingdom. to promote the glory Of God
and win souls 10 Christ. After a brief
pause again music and mirth and repair
tee predominated, only to again be In
corrupted. this time by the appearance
of heaps and heaps of embroSiaf dehca-
cies. conjured from the mysterious /
depths of Slndry baskets and boxes and
given bounteously to all without money
or without price. as q. fitting dessert 10 !
the feast of reason and flow of soul /
Just proceeding. That they were pro- |
duced by a conjurer's trick was evil /
denced by their vanishing as mvsteri- /
ously as they appeared During supper /
a ghost with glitterinS green eyes, very
much resembling Clark Pollard. was /
seen on the outside peepinC through one /
OF the windows. Elder BiCknell was sitting !
close to Mrs. Pollard. but catching a /
glimpse of the fierce and ghastly appari- /
ton at the window. suddenly remember
Ell that he had some urgent business with I
one Of the deacons, and incontinentIv t
moved.
The evening was balmy and delight
fuI. as only evenings can bein the Valley
or the Nile Of America. and everyone
drank in big draughts Of enjoyment. not
wlthstanding the ghost episode Music
charmed the senses, and many sweet
songs were sung, including an appropri-
ate solo-''The Old Arm Chair'-bv Miss
Laura FaSsete. All were delighted with
the music, bus song. specially mellfuous
notes, sad q hsve besa rendered BY
Charley Psass inDoShlv Uans6xsd